According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are 39.5 million physician office visits and 29.4 million emergency room visits for unintentional injuries each year in the U.S. If you have suffered a personal injury, you should know the following.
People injured in a car accident who retain a personal injury lawyer typically recover three times more than those that handle their claims by themselves. This is because personal injury lawyers understand the value of claims and when and how to negotiate.
Insurance companies do not have your best interests in mind. An insurance adjuster’s job is to pay out as little as possible. You should never sign anything until you have consulted a lawyer.
There are two ways to obtain a favorable result. One way is to take your case to trial, and the other way is to settle your claim out of court. Your lawyer will help you decide whether to settle or take your case to court.
To obtain the best result, it may take time. Trials can take months or even years, and settlements can happen at any time during this process. Your insurance company may try to use your anxiety against you unless you’re patient.
Timing is very important in any personal injury claim. Each state has a set amount of time during which you can file a claim. These rules are known as statutes of limitations. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is two years. This means that if you haven’t filed a personal injury claim within two years of the accident, you lose your right to sue.
The time limit to file the claim itself isn’t the only timing factor to consider. A personal injury lawyer can help you avoid costly mistakes from the beginning, such as failing to properly document your injuries and medical costs or giving recorded information to the insurance company. The sooner you contact your lawyer, the sooner you can properly begin the process of moving toward settlement or going to trial.
Drake, Hileman and Davis is a full service law firm with an emphasis on personal injury law. Since 1985, we have served clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey- from Philadelphia north to th...
